1. He skipped the class yesterday.

Question

2. He missed the class yesterday.
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Are both the same in meaning? What other words can we use instead of 'skipped'?

Answer 1

Skipping class usually means he deliberately decided not to go.
http://www.answers.com/truancy
You could also say "He cut class" or "He cut the class ... "

Missing a class usually means he was not in class because of illness or a doctor's appointment or some other legitimate reason.